47.2% of Bangladeshi women married before 18: UNICEF

Photo: collected

Some 47.2% of women aged 20 to 24 in Bangladesh were married before turning 18, while 13.4% married before age 15, according to the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025, cited by UNICEF.

Following a three-day visit to Bangladesh, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called for urgent action to end child marriage, keep girls in school and increase investment in health and education.

She also urged the government to fulfil its commitment to allocate 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) to health and education and ensure quality education for Rohingya refugee children and those in host communities.

UNICEF said child marriage increased the risk of girls dropping out of school and becoming pregnant during adolescence, threatening their health, development and future opportunities.

During her visit, Russell met families in Dhaka’s Korail slum and members of Rohingya refugee and host communities in Cox’s Bazar.

She recounted the case of 14-year-old Bushra, who was protected from child marriage after community leaders at a UNICEF-supported child protection centre and her father intervened.

Russell said keeping girls in school and ensuring access to essential healthcare, education and protection would help build a brighter future for them, their communities and Bangladesh.

In Dhaka, she met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayd Islam and commended the government’s commitment to increasing spending on health and education, while stressing the need to implement it.

“Priorities are reflected in the budget,” Russell said, adding that investment in children’s quality education, health, nutrition and protection was an investment in Bangladesh’s future.

She also urged the international community to increase support for Rohingya children and children in host communities.

Rohingya children had already lost much because of violence, displacement and uncertainty and must not be deprived of education as well, she said.